A Serious Note to Readers
Beyond Bringing Them Home and Sexual Misconduct
My last two essays discussed two serious topics:
Bring them Home. Why the psychedelic field should consider supporting the “Bring Them Home” petition, i.e., a petition calling for the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including those from the Psychedelic-Trance Festival.
Don’t F*ck Your Patients. A profanity-laden screed against the “tie-dyed barrier of tranquility,” urging leaders in the field to address sexual misconduct in psychedelics with greater prominence and clarity.
Today’s essay documents something even more serious.
The Hot Psilocybin Patent Garbage Patent issued.
Recall, in May 2022—nearly two years ago—I ripped a patent application filed by NYU entitled “Treatment of Anxiety and Depression.” In that essay, I explained how the claims of this patent couldn’t possibly issue over prior art.
Indeed, in a follow-up, I noted how my masterful work was cited as prior art:
April Fools!
Actually, the patent garbage simply wasn’t meant to be. A little more than a week ago, NYU abandoned the patent after final rejection.
So, closed case, right? Not quite.
In July 2023, NYU filed for a fresh patent relating to “Treatment of Suicidality With Psilocin and Psilocybin.” Here is claim 1:
Now, I know what you may be thinking…
But before we get up in arms, let’s be clear. This new claim is not in an issued patent. It is an initial claim, and patent applicants commonly submit broad claims and narrow the claims later in the patent prosecution process.
Happy April Fools!